Customs seize illegally imported Undu seeds

The mobile unit of Customs today (30) arrested an individual who has illegally imported 58 tons of Undu seeds from India.

The customs claim the haul of illegally imported seeds which is estimated to be worth over Rs 40.6 million.

The Director of Customs (Task force of Revenue supervision)  Ruwan Jayasinghe said that the customs officers who were monitoring the online system suspected when the importer had mentioned that he would be importing 72 tons of wheat seeds.

He said that the importer has refused to cooperate, yet after the custom contacted his agent and brought the four containers to customs and opened the containers, found that there were only 12 tons of wheat and the rest of 58 tons were Undu seeds.

“The bags containing Undu seed and wheat were similar and had a printed cover, it mentioned that thebags contained wheat.” he explained.

The importer has only declared as he is only importing wheat, yet within the containers were Undu seeds. Therefore the containers were seized by the Customs officers.

He also pointed out that the importation of Undu seeds was also banned in January, 2020.

The importer has been arrested and further investigations are being conducted by the customs.

(Pix by Indika Handuwala)